alongside
/ə'lɔɳ'said/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adverb:
- Side by side; close together and in parallel alignment: Used to describe things or people positioned next to each other, often for comparison or joint action.
- Close aboard a ship: In nautical contexts, it means positioned close to the side of a ship.
Preposition:
- Close to the side of; next to: Indicates physical proximity, often in a parallel line.
- At the same time as; in conjunction with: Used figuratively to indicate things happening or existing simultaneously.
Examples of Usage
Adverb:
- The two ships sailed alongside for several miles.
- The old and new models were displayed alongside for comparison.
Preposition:
- Park your car alongside the curb.
- She worked alongside experts in the field.
- New economic challenges emerged alongside the technological advances.
Advanced Usage
"to come alongside" (Nautical Phrase): To maneuver a vessel to lie close to the side of another vessel or a pier.
- The tugboat helped the freighter come alongside the dock.
"alongside of" (Less common variant, chiefly US): Functionally equivalent to the preposition "alongside."
- He walked alongside of me. (Note: "alongside" alone is more standard.)
Variants and Related Words
- Alongside is a compound word formed from "along" + "side." It functions as both an adverb and a preposition.
- Parallel (adj./n./v.): Similar in meaning regarding things extending in the same direction and equidistant, but not necessarily touching.
- The road runs parallel to the railway.
Synonyms
- Beside: At the side of; next to.
- Next to: In or into a position immediately adjacent to.
- Aboard (Nautical): On or onto a ship, train, aircraft, or other vehicle. In nautical use, "close aboard" is a synonym for the adverbial sense.
Related Phrases
Work/operate/function alongside: To work in cooperation or in close association with someone.
- The two departments must work alongside to achieve the goal.
Run/lie alongside: To extend or be positioned parallel to something else.
- A footpath runs alongside the canal.
Related Idioms
- (To be/fight/stand) shoulder to shoulder: This idiom conveys a similar meaning of close cooperation and physical proximity as "alongside" but implies unity of purpose.
- They stood shoulder to shoulder during the crisis. (Compare: They stood alongside each other during the crisis.)
Adverb
- side by side
- anchored close aboard another ship